REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
By The
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA,
MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA
During The
On
THURSDAY, 30TH MARCH, 2023
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•
YOUR EXCELLENCY MR. EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU, THE SIXTH
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA;
•
THE HONOURABLE DR. MUMBA MALILA, SC, CHIEF JUSTICE OF
THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA;
•
THE VISITING HONOURABLE HEADS OF JUDICIARIES;
•
THE HONOURABLE MRS. NELLY MUTTI, MP, SPEAKER OF THE
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA;
•
THE
VISITING
HONOURABLE
SPEAKERS
OF
NATIONAL
ASSEMBLIES;
•
THE HEAD OF DELEGATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA AND CO-HOST OF THE SUMMIT;
•
CABINET MINISTERS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA;
•
VISITING CABINET MINISTERS AND HEADS OF FOREIGN
DELEGATIONS;
•
YOUR
EXCELLENCIES,
AMBASSADORS
AND
HIGH
COMMISSIONERS OF THE PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES TO THE
SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY;
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•
DISTINGUISHED
REPRESENTATIVES
OF
ELECTORAL
MANAGEMENT BODIES;
•
INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS;
•
DISTINGUISHED REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES,
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR;
•
THE MEDIA;
•
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
WE EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO YOU ALL, TO THIS SECOND
SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY AND TO OUR COUNTRY, ZAMBIA.
WE ARE HONOURED AND DELIGHTED TO CO-HOST THIS VERY
IMPORTANT SUMMIT FOR THE AFRICAN REGION, WITH THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
ON BEHALF OF ALL THE AFRICAN COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING IN
THIS SUMMIT, LET ME COMMEND THE U.S. GOVERNMENT FOR
THIS INITIATIVE WHICH WE BELIEVE WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE
STRENGTHENING
OF
DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNANCE
CONTINENT AND THE REST OF THE WORLD.
ON
THE
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DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
THE SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY IS INSPIRED BY OUR COLLECTIVE
DESIRE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE.
WE COME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS PERTINENT ISSUES RELATED TO
OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTER DEMOCRACY IN OUR RESPECTIVE
NATIONS.
THIS SUMMIT PROVIDES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO:
1. SHOWCASE PROGRESS ON COMMITMENTS MADE DURING
THE FIRST SUMMIT.
2. SHARE SUCCESS STORIES AND BEST PRACTICES.
3. A PLATFORM TO ANNOUNCE NEW COMMITMENTS AND
INITIATIVES.
4. HIGHLIGHT THE KEY THEMES FOR DELIVERING DEMOCRACY.
5. MOBILISE COLLECTIVE ACTION TO RESPOND TO THE
CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME.
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DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
THE SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY IS SIGNIFICANT TO AFRICA.
IT CONTRIBUTES TO OUR FIRM RESOLVE TO STRENGTHEN
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE ON THE CONTINENT.
A
RESOLVE
TO
ABHOR
UNCONSTITUTIONAL
CHANGE
OF
GOVERNMENT.
A
RESOLVE
FOR
DEMOCRACY
THAT
DELIVERS
TANGIBLE
DIVIDENDS TO OUR CITIZENS.
AS
A
CONTINENT,
WE
ARE
DETERMINED
TO
PROMOTE
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AS ENSHRINED IN THE AFRICAN
CHARTER ON DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND GOVERNANCE.
WE
ARE
EAGER
GOVERNANCE
BY
TO
PROMOTE
AND
STRENGTHEN
INSTITUTIONALISING
GOOD
TRANSPARENCY,
ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY.
IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE THEME FOR THIS SUMMIT FOR
OUR CONTINENT IS, “FREE, FAIR, AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS,
AS THE FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE.”
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DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
THE THEME CAPTURES THE NEED FOR COMMITMENT TO THE
PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE.
PRINCIPLES THAT RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS TO VOTE,
THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNANCE, AND THE RIGHT TO
HOLD
ACCOUNTABLE
THOSE
CHARGED
WITH
THE
RESPONSIBILITY TO GOVERN.
IT FURTHER CALLS FOR COMMITMENT TO LEGISLATIVE REFORMS
THAT SEEK TO STRENGTHEN INSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNANCE
THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ELECTIONS.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
DURING THE FIRST SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY THAT TOOK PLACE
IN DECEMBER 2021, PARTICIPATING HEADS OF STATES MADE
PROGRESSIVE COMMITMENTS TO MAKE DEMOCRACY MORE
RESPONSIVE AND RESILIENT.
AS A CONTINENT, OUR COMMITMENTS REAFFIRMED THE NEED
FOR DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL AND THE NEED TO ADDRESS
THREATS TO DEMOCRACY.
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AMONG THE COMMITMENTS, WE PLEDGED THE FOLLOWING:
1. TO COMBAT DISINFORMATION,
2. TO STRENGTHEN ELECTORAL INTEGRITY
3. TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS, ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN,
YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES,
4. TO ADDRESS INEQUALITY ON THE CONTINENT,
5. TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO FOSTER DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN
RIGHTS,
6. TO
STRENGTHEN
ENFORCEMENT
OF
FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURES, AND
7. TO USE FINANCIAL SYSTEMS TO COMBAT CORRUPTION.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
WE NOTE WITH SATISFACTION THAT MOST OF OUR COUNTRIES
HAVE MADE STRIDES IN ACTUALISING THESE COMMITMENTS AND
WE ENCOURAGE CONTINUED PROGRESS.
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WE MUST WORK HARD TO IMPROVE IN AREAS REQUIRING
FURTHER ATTENTION.
WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE THIS SUMMIT TO LEARN FROM
EACH OTHER.
ON OUR PART AS ZAMBIA, WE COMMITTED TO ENSURING A FREE
MEDIA, PROTECTING FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATION,
AS
WELL
AS
ENSURING
AN
INDEPENDENT
ELECTORAL
COMMISSION.
DURING THIS SUMMIT WE ARE PLEASED TO LEARN THAT WE ARE
MAKING
STEADY
PROGRESS
TOWARDS
FULFILLING
OUR
COMMITMENTS AND THE ASPIRATIONS OF OUR PEOPLE.
THE MEDIA IS OPERATING FREELY WITHOUT INTERFERENCE.
THE LAW THAT REGULATES FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND
ASSOCIATION, OUR PUBLIC ORDER ACT, IS BEING REVIEWED TO
ENSURE THAT FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS OF OUR CITIZENS ARE
PROTECTED.
WE HAVE CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN THE INDEPENDENCE OF OUR
ELECTORAL BODY, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA, AS
PROVIDED FOR UNDER OUR CONSTITUTION.
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WE HAVE REPEALED THE LAW THAT CRIMINALISES DEFAMATION
OF THE PRESIDENT AND WE ARE WILLING TO DO MORE TO
STRENGTHEN DEMOCRATIC TENETS IN OUR COUNTRY.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
AS A CONTINENT, WE ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT THAT FREE, FAIR
AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE.
THIS
ENSURES
CREDIBILITY
IN
THE
ELECTIONS
AND
SUBSEQUENTLY LEGITIMACY OF ANY GOVERNMENT.
TO
ACHIEVE
THIS,
WE
NEED
STRONG
AND
RESILIENT
GOVERNANCE INSTITUTIONS.
WE
NEED
MANAGEMENT
INDEPENDENT
BODIES.
AND
WE
CREDIBLE
NEED
ELECTORAL
INDEPENDENT
PROFESSIONAL JUDICIARIES.
WE NEED INDEPENDENT, FREE AND RESPONSIBLE MEDIA.
AND
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IN ADDITION TO HAVING STRONG INSTITUTIONS, WE NEED TO
ENSURE
THAT
WE
HAVE
ENABLING
POLICY
AND
LEGAL
FRAMEWORKS.
FRAMEWORKS THAT:
1. GUARANTEE PREDICTABILITY OF HOLDING ELECTIONS
2. PROVIDE
A
GRIEVANCE
AND
COMPLAINTS
REDRESS
MECHANISM, AND
3. THAT ENSURE FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND FREEDOM OF
ASSOCIATION.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
FOR DEMOCRACY TO THRIVE OUR CITIZENS MUST FREELY
PARTICIPATE
IN
THE
ELECTORAL
PROCESSES
DEVOID
OF
HARASSMENT, VIOLENCE, INTIMIDATION AND MALPRACTICE.
AS SUCH, THERE SHOULD BE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, ACCESS
TO INFORMATION AND THE ADHERENCE TO LAW AND ORDER.
THIS WILL ALLOW OUR CITIZENS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS
AND FREELY ELECT LEADERS OF THEIR CHOICE.
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DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
CIVIL SOCIETY IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF ANY THRIVING
DEMOCRACY.
A VIBRANT AND ACTIVE CIVIL SOCIETY CONTRIBUTES TO, AMONG
OTHERS, FREE, FAIR AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS.
THE
ROLE
MONITORING
IT
PLAYS
AND
IN
VOTER
OBSERVATION
EDUCATION,
AS
WELL
AS
ELECTION
CONFLICT
RESOLUTION CANNOT BE OVER EMPHASISED.
WE HAVE A DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THE DEMOCRATIC SPACE FOR
CIVIL SOCIETY IS SUPPORTED.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
WE URGE ALL COUNTRIES ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT TO
INTROSPECT AND UNDERTAKE NECESSARY INSTITUTIONAL,
POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE REFORMS TO GUARANTEE FREE, FAIR
AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS.
THIS IS WHAT OUR PEOPLE DESERVE.
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THIS IS WHAT OUR CONTINENT DESERVES.
THIS IS WHAT OUR WORLD DESERVES.
FREE, FAIR AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS, THE FOUNDATION
FOR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE.
IN THE WORDS OF THE LATE FORMER UNITED NATIONS
SECRETARY GENERAL, KOFFI ANNAN, “…DEMOCRACIES WITHOUT
CREDIBLE ELECTIONS ARE NO DEMOCRACIES AT ALL.
WE MUST REMEMBER THAT ELECTIONS ARE A MECHANISM FOR
ARBITRATION OF POLITICAL RIVALRIES, AND PEACEFUL AND
DEMOCRATIC ROTATION OF LEADERSHIP…CREDIBLE ELECTIONS
MUST MEET THREE ESSENTIAL CRITERIA: INCLUSIVENESS,
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.” END OF QUOTE.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES,
ALLOW
US
TO
CONCLUDE
BY
EXTENDING
OUR
SINCERE
GRATITUDE TO ALL THOSE WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY TO MAKE
THIS MOMENTOUS SUMMIT A SUCCESS.
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WE ALSO SALUTE ALL DELEGATES WHO HAVE COME FAR AND WIDE
TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS SUMMIT.
WE THANK YOUR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES AND GOVERNMENTS
FOR THE SUPPORT.
WE VALUE YOUR COMMITMENT TO DEMOCRACY AND THE FUTURE
OF OUR CONTINENT.
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
ON BEHALF OF THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA, WE
WELCOME YOU ALL TO ZAMBIA AND INVITE YOU TO STAY LONGER
AND
ENJOY
OUR
HOSPITALITY,
NATURAL
TRANQUILITY.
MERCI BEAUCOUP,
MUITO OBRIGADO,
ASANTE SANA,
ZIKOMO KWAMBIRI.
THANK YOU.
BEAUTY
AND